A three-dimensionally ordered macroporous (3DOM) Ni-Sn alloy electrode was prepared by electroplating using a colloidal crystal template consisting of monodisperse polystyrene (PS) latex. Scanning electron microscopy observations revealed that the prepared 3DOM Ni-Sn electrode (thickness: 16 mu m) had uniform macropores that were 1.0 mu m in diameter. The feasibility of using this electrode as the anode in an organic electrolyte for lithium batteries was examined. Although the 3DOM Ni-Sn electrode exhibited a discharge capacity of 455 mAh g(-1), the discharge capacity decreased rapidly after 30 charge-discharge cycles owing to the collapse of the porous structure caused by the volume change during lithiation and delithiation. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.